Balance bearing for clocks and the like



Feb. 2, 1932. I Q LE ROY CQPELIN I 1,843,868

BALANCE BEARING FOR CLOCKS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 27, 1928 IN VEN TOR.

Lek o velw Patented F ch. 2, 1932 Ln no; cornnnw, or moxsoiwmnn, FLORIDABALANGE BEARING FOB CLOCKS AND THE LIKE Application filed September 27,1928. Serial No. 308,831.

My invention relates to improvements in balance bearings for clocks andthe like, and particularly to a shock-absorbin or shockproof bearing foruse with 0100 balance shafts and other structures embodying conicalbalance or shaft pivots.

An object of this invention is to provide a I, bearing structure whichcan be used as the original equipment in the manufacture 'of new clocksand the like, and which can also be applied as a repair of replacementpart in substitution for other types of bearings.

A further object is to so construct the bearing that the needle-likepoint at the end of i the balance or shaft is supported in a manner topermit/limited endwise and lateralmovement, such movement beingresiliently cushioned and opposed to thus protect the bearing point frominjury due to shocks and the like. Another object is to provide abearing structure'v vhich will be responsive to even slight shocks andwith. which the parts will automatically return to the normallycentering position. Still another object is to rovide a structure whichis fully adjust-a le to give the 'proper setting for the pivot bearingand is adjustable to accommodate the structure to carrying cushionefiects.

'With the above and other objects in view, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that my invention includes certain novel features ofconstruction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter setforth in connection with the drawings.-

' In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view illustrating my invention embodied in aclock mechanism. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical view to better 49 showthe bearing structure.

A screw or sleeve serving as a bearing support 1 is provided with acentral bore 2 adapted to receive the bearing block or plunger 3, whichis mounted therein for rocln'ng'or reciprocatory movement. 7 In the Atone end of the sleeve 2 a centering flange or shoulder 10 is providedwhich also serves to limit endwise movement of the bearing block 3within the bore 2. The centering flange or shoulder 10, which is shapedto be of conical tapered form on its inner face, has the central opening11 thereof provided with a wall corresponding substantially to the taperof the conical pivot end 8 of the balance or shaft, and the bearingblock 3 has a bearing socket 12 therein of conical shape formed on asomewhat wider angle than the angle of the apex of the conical bearingend 8. The bearing socket 12 is made of such depth that when the end ofbearing block 3 abuts against the inner side of flange or shoulder 10,the pivot end 8 will be held out to have clearance from the wall 11.

The bearing block or plunger 3 has a rounded bead-like shoulder 13around the end away from socket 12 of an outside diameter to slidefreely within the bore 2, and the remaining portion of this block orplunger is reduced in diameter to permit lateral rocking movement of theend having the bearing socket or recess 12 therein, the head or shoulder13 serving substantially as a rocker bearing under such circumstances.This bearing block or plunger may be made of steel, brass, porcelain,jewel-bearing material, or can be constructed of any material or anycombination of materials to give the desired bearin surface or socketfor the conical bearing en 8.

The remaining end of bore 2 is provided with internal screw threads at14:, and a screw plug 15 is adjustably 'fitted in this threaded end. Alight coil spring 16 is placed within the bore 2 to bear against thehead end of bearing block or plunger 3 and is confined by the screw plug15, this screw plug 15 being adjustable to vary the bearing strength ofthe spring 16. p

In use my improved bearing structure can be fitted in place as originalor replacement equipment after the manner shown in F-ig. 1,

My improved bearing structure can be mount-' ed at either or both endsof a balance or shaft, and can be embodied substantially in anyconnection where a conical pivot bearing end is to be mounted.

Where my hearing structure is fitted in place and the mechanism issubjected. to dropping or shockscausing the pivot point 8 to be forcedagainst the bearing in line with r the axis of shaft 7, the spring 16permits plug 3 to move into the bore 2, and the ivot end 8 comes intocontact with the wa 11,

. thus taking the main strain of the shock upon an enlarged portion-ofthe pivot end and compeitely protecting the needle-like point.

ere shocks or the like cause movement of the shaft or balance 7 in adirection angular to the axis thereof, the reduced end of the block 3will rock within the bore 2, andthe thick body portion of the pivot end8 will engage the wall 11 tostop the movement. As the socket 12 isformed on a wide angle,

the needle-like end of .pivot point 8 will remain properl centered. Ineither instance, and in act when any displacement of the bearing blockhas occurred through shocks or otherwise, the s ring 16 will exertresilient force upon the b ock 3 "to press this block against theconicall tapered shoulder 10 to restore the same to t e centered normalposition, as illustratedin Fig. 2, immediately afterdthe. disturbingshock or influence '1s From the fore oing it will be seen that I haveprovided a caring structure for use in connection with substantially anyand all conical pivot bearing shafts .and the like, which is of suchconstruction that'the parts will be normall held and centered in a position for most e cient operation, and that proion is made for cushionedmovement to prevent damage to the needle-like bearing.

point and for stoppage of such movement by contact with spring portionsof the structure, and that the arrangement and construction is such thatthe parts will be automatically returned to normal centered position.

*walls of'the opening thereo only certain specific embodiments of myinvention and have suggested only certain pos-.

sible modifications, it will be appreciated that changes and variationscan be made in the form, construction, arrangement and mountmg of theparts to suit varying conditions of use without departing from thespirit and scope of my invention. 1

I claim:

1. In combination with a shaft having a conical pivot end, a bearingblock, means by which said bearing block is mounted to allow rockingmovement at one end laterally with respectto the axis of said shaft,saidbearing block being provided with a bearing socket opening ofsubstantially conical shape in the rockable end, and means to hold saidblock with the bearin socket opening normally in a predetermin'ecentering and to return said block to the normal position when shocks ofdisplacement are removed.

2. A bearing for mounting conical bearing points comprising a bearingmember having .a central bore terminating in a conically tapered flangeat one end and provided with a central opening through said flange, abearing block mounted within the bore capable of reciprocatory movementand having a portion thereof reduced to allow rocking movement withinthe bore, said bearing blockhaving a substantially conical bearingrecess on the reduced end and resilient means normally urgin saidbearing block to a position with the re uced end centered within saidconically tapered flange.

3. A bearing for mounting conical bearing points comprising a bearingmember having a central bore a. bearing block mounted with-' in the borefor rocking and reciprocatory movement and provided at one end with asubstantiallyconical bearing recess, a flange around one end of saidbearing member of conically tapered form on its inner side to partlyclose the central bore of said bearin member, and provided with anopenin o sufiicient size to receive and normally c ear the bearingpoint, said flange through the serving as an abutment to limitreciprocating and rocking movement of the bearing point, andresilientmeans normally urging said bearin block to center within said conicallytapere flange.

comprisin a bearing member having a bore an abutment to stop and centerthe bearing 4. A bearing for conical bearing pivots,

therein, a aring block mounted for reciprocato movement within the boreand' prosignature.

LE ROY CQPELIN,

